Dear partner,
While February is traditionally a quieter month in logistics due to the Chinese New Year, the market is far from standing still. In fact, several regulatory and structural developments are quietly reshaping international e-commerce and supply chains and the impact will be felt sooner than many expect.
Below, we highlight the developments that deserve your attention now, not later.
EU–India Free Trade Agreement: a strategic shift in global sourcing
At the end of January, the European Union and India concluded negotiations on a Free Trade Agreement (FTA, subject to final ratification). Once in force, this agreement will significantly reduce or eliminate tariffs on the majority of goods traded between the EU and India.
According to the European Commission, tariffs will be phased out on:
- 96.6% of EU exports to India
- 99.5% of Indian exports to the EU (over a seven-year period)
This agreement is widely seen as a strategic move by the EU to diversify trade flows and reduce dependency on traditional markets.
What we already see in the market:
- Growing interest in India as an alternative or complementary sourcing location
- Reassessment of long-term production strategies
- Increased focus on rules of origin, classification and customs compliance
While reduced tariffs create new opportunities, they also introduce additional complexity. Preferential trade agreements require correct documentation and origin validation to benefit from tariff reductions.
For companies active in sourcing, manufacturing or retail, this agreement is another signal that now is the time to review supply chain structures, not when changes are already enforced.
Regulatory pressure on e-commerce is increasing
After months of uncertainty, the proposed national Dutch handling fee for e-commerce shipments has been postponed. This provides short-term relief for platforms and brand owners.
However, the bigger picture is clear:
As of July 2026, the European Union will introduce a €3 customs duty per item on low-value e-commerce shipments (< €150), applied across all EU member states. This is part of a broader EU strategy to:
- Reduce administrative pressure on customs authorities
- Close loopholes in low-value imports
- Create fairer competition between EU-based and non-EU sellers
The direction is unmistakable: cross-border e-commerce will become more regulated, more structured and less tolerant of “grey areas”.
Strategic shift: from cross-border to EU-based fulfilment
Across the market, we see consumer brands reassessing their operating models. Where shipping directly from outside the EU was once the default, many brands are now actively exploring alternatives such as:
- EU-based warehousing & fulfilment
- B2B2C distribution models
- Delivery from bonded or non-bonded EU DCs
This shift is driven by more than regulation alone. Brands are also responding to:
- Rising last-mile expectations from consumers
- Pressure on delivery times and returns handling
- Increasing scrutiny on VAT, customs valuation and compliance
In many cases, moving fulfilment into the EU not only improves compliance, but also results in shorter lead times, more predictable costs and higher customer satisfaction.
CBAM is live and still underestimated
The Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) is now officially in force. Despite this, we continue to see that many importers of CBAM-relevant goods are not yet fully prepared.
Common challenges include:
- Unclear product classification
- Insufficient emissions data from suppliers
- Underestimating reporting and administrative impact
Waiting until enforcement tightens is a risk. Early preparation allows you to maintain control over costs and avoid operational disruption later in the year.
We would be happy to inform you further in a short demo call.
Operational context: what we see in the market
- Chinese New Year
From 15 February, production in China largely shuts down. The weeks leading up to this period already show declining output and volumes. February is expected to remain calm, with production gradually restarting in early March. - Rotterdam Regulation update
Adjustments have been implemented regarding the transfer of products of animal origin, impacting specific import flows. - Fruit Logistica
We continue to follow developments in the fresh produce sector closely and connect with partners across the supply chain.
And yes, the days are getting longer again 😊
A moment to reassess
Many of the changes mentioned above do not cause immediate disruption — until suddenly they do. The companies that benefit most are those that reassess their setup before pressure turns into urgency.
If you are currently evaluating:
- your e-commerce or fulfilment strategy
- EU warehousing options
- customs, VAT or CBAM compliance
We would be happy to exchange thoughts and explore practical solutions together.